Chromium Contamination of Parenteral Nutrition

It has been observed that patients on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) have high plasma chromium level. There is reason to believe that TPN solutions contain chromium and possibly other trace elements as contaminants. Chromium in particular can lead to kidney damage. The purpose of this research are 1). to collect discarded TPN samples from patients on TPN for analysis and compare analyzed concnetrations of trace elements to prescribed concentrations. 2\) analyze small volume parenterals obtained from a TPN supplier for evaluation of trace elements contcentrations to be compared with what is reported on the label. 3\) retrospectively collect blood levels of chromium from charts of patients on home TPN who consented to have their TPN samples analyzed (#1 above), as well as prescribed Cr in their TPN at the time blood levels are recorded.